Though they sound alike, sports and energy drinks differ from each other in terms of ingredients and functions. People consume both sports and energy drinks before, during, or after a workout.
As nonalcoholic beverages, people of different age groups consume both and often confuse them. This blog post provides an overview of both types of drinks, their ingredients, similarities, and differences.
Sports Drinks versus Energy Drinks
The main goal of sports drinks is to promote hydration and maintain endurance. They serve this purpose by replacing the body’s electrolytes. At the same time, energy drinks improve focus and mental alertness to energize the user for performance.
The main ingredients in sports drinks are:
- A small amount, 4%-8% of carbohydrates ( 6-8 g/100ml), such as glucose or its polymers like sucrose and fructose.
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium).
- The main component in most sports drinks is water. However, their other ingredients help maintain the nutrients over a long time compared to plain water. They do it by enhancing absorption.
On the other hand, energy drinks’ composition includes:
- Caffeine as the main ingredient.
- Higher carbohydrate content.
- Vitamin B-complex (riboflavin, niacin, B6, and B12).
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and phosphorus).
- Amino acids (taurine).
- Herbal ingredient (guarana) in some energy drinks.
Role of Sports and Energy Drinks
Sports drinks are helpful for those:
- Engaged in vigorous physical activity lasting more than an hour( biking, running).
- High-intensity sports like basketball, hockey, and soccer.
Sports drinks have a role to play in these sports. In the form of carbohydrates, they give you an instant energy boost. Also, electrolytes like sodium and potassium keep body fluids in balance while sweating.
Energy drinks also act as energy boosters during sports and athletic performances. The caffeine and sugar in them enhance mental alertness and give you an energy kick. While taurine, an amino acid, helps to improve muscle function during sports.
Furthermore, some studies suggest taurine combined with caffeine further improves mental function. Hence, before or during a workout, the consumption of energy drinks not only strengthens your muscles but also improves your focus.
Conclusion
Both sports and energy drinks are designed to replace and maintain the energy and stamina of athletes. However, regular use of these drinks needs balance. Besides workouts, energy drinks have a role in increasing mental alertness and cognition. Hence, you can take them to stay awake at night or to avoid an afternoon slump. But, due to caffeine and sugar content, using sports and energy drinks regularly is not recommended. Be mindful while choosing energy drinks, avoiding those with high sugar and caffeine levels.
King Kongin is an energy drink with zero sugar, zero calories, artificial colors, and the caffeine equivalent of a cup of coffee. Finally, use sports and energy drinks to enhance your performance during sports and workouts but choose wisely. Thanks for the Read!
